What to see in downtown Houston

By By Syd Kearney/Compiled by Dana Guthrie

on April 25, 2013 6:58 AM

Photo: Chronicle

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Sam Houston Park

Save for Sam Houston Park, almost all signs of early Houston have been erased. This pretty patch of green is dotted with historical buildings rescued from their original sites. If you're interested in Houston history or architecture, devote some time to the city's oldest park. Otherwise take a picture (the 1891 St. John Church with the Mayan-inspired Heritage Plaza skyscraper backdrop is a classic) and move on.

Save for Sam Houston Park, almost all signs of early Houston have been erased. This pretty patch of green is dotted with historical buildings rescued from their original sites. If you're interested in Houston ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Staff

Save for Sam Houston Park, almost all signs of early Houston have... Photo-4521180.61060 - seattlepi.com

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Tranquillity Park

Tranquillity Park commemorates man's landing on the moon at the Sea of Tranquility in July 1969. The story of Apollo 11 is depicted on a wall on the north side of the park. But it really takes some effort to find the footprint made by astronaut Neil Armstrong's boot.
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Tranquillity Park commemorates man's landing on the moon at the Sea of Tranquility in July 1969. The story of Apollo 11 is depicted on a wall on the north side of the park. But it really takes some effort to ... more

Market Square is the city's original business district and site of Houston's first five city halls. It's just a short jog from Allen's Landing, where the Allen brothers, John and Augustus, saw past the muck and mosquitoes and founded Houston. The park features a dog park, a walk-up restaurant (Niko Niko's) and a flower garden. The square's unusual sculpture is the steel-and-pine "Points of View" by Texas artist James Surls.

Market Square is the city's original business district and site of Houston's first five city halls. It's just a short jog from Allen's Landing, where the Allen brothers, John and Augustus, saw past the muck and ... more

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Staff

Market Square is the city's original business district and... Photo-4521177.61060 - seattlepi.com

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City Hall and Hermann Square

City Hall and Hermann Square (bet you didn't know that's what the front lawn is called) are the closest things to quaint you'll find downtown. Completed in 1939, the modern City Hall is richly detailed: The entrance doors are cast aluminum; the lobby is marble with touches of nickel, bronze and silver. (Keep this in mind when you're exploring downtown: City Hall is home to the visitors center, which houses exhibits, a well-stocked gift shop and - most refreshingly - public restrooms.)

City Hall and Hermann Square (bet you didn't know that's what the front lawn is called) are the closest things to quaint you'll find downtown. Completed in 1939, the modern City Hall is richly detailed: The ... more

Office workers toiling on the upper floors of Houston's tallest building, the JP Morgan Chase Tower, report that when winds are stiff, you can feel the building sway. It might have been worse. Architect I.M. Pei designed an 80-floor building, but the FAA insisted the plan be scaled back to 75 because there was concern the building's height could pose a danger for planes landing at Hobby Airport. If the lobby is open, take the express elevator to the 60th-floor observation deck for breathtaking views.
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Office workers toiling on the upper floors of Houston's tallest building, the JP Morgan Chase Tower, report that when winds are stiff, you can feel the building sway. It might have been worse. Architect I.M. ... more

With its air funnels, pipes and porthole accents, the 900-foot-long center resembles a landlocked cruise ship. Spanish-born architect Mario Bolullo said it was an homage to Paris' Pompidou Center with its "intentional unfinished look."

With its air funnels, pipes and porthole accents, the 900-foot-long center resembles a landlocked cruise ship. Spanish-born architect Mario Bolullo said it was an homage to Paris' Pompidou Center with its ... more

With its air funnels, pipes and porthole accents, the 900-foot-long... Photo-4470395.61060 - seattlepi.com

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Discovery Green

It's hard to keep up with downtown's shiniest jewel. The sprawling city park offers so many activities and special events. There's a festival, so it seems, nearly every week, and daily events range from outdoor yoga and movies on the lawn to upscale flea markets and blues concerts. Also on site: two restaurants, a dog park and splash pads for the kids.

It's hard to keep up with downtown's shiniest jewel. The sprawling city park offers so many activities and special events. There's a festival, so it seems, nearly every week, and daily events range from outdoor ... more

Architect Robert A.M. Stern designed the glassed-in lobby and terraces of the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts to be the city's front porch. If you're wondering about the sculpture out front, don't ask. We've been shaking our heads since it was installed in 2002.

Architect Robert A.M. Stern designed the glassed-in lobby and terraces of the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts to be the city's front porch. If you're wondering about the sculpture out front, don't ask. ... more

One of Houston's newer landmarks also is among its most popular. The neon-festooned Downtown Aquarium complex boasts 500,000 gallons of tanks teeming with underwater dwellers, a restaurant, an inviting bar, a train ride through a "tunnel" of sharks, a Ferris wheel and carousel, white tigers (!?!) and a bevy of midway amusements.
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One of Houston's newer landmarks also is among its most popular. The neon-festooned Downtown Aquarium complex boasts 500,000 gallons of tanks teeming with underwater dwellers, a restaurant, an inviting bar, a ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Staff

One of Houston's newer landmarks also is among its most... Photo-4521183.61060 - seattlepi.com

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Bayou Place

When Bayou Place bowed on New Year's Eve 1997, this entertainment complex opened the floodgates to downtown revitalization. In its previous life, the space was the Albert Thomas Convention Center, which was built in 1965 and languished empty for almost 10 years after the George R. Brown Convention Center opened in the 1980s. Since then, it's had its ups and downs. Thankfully, the addition of Sundance Cinemas and a number of new watering holes has given the center a boost of late.
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When Bayou Place bowed on New Year's Eve 1997, this entertainment complex opened the floodgates to downtown revitalization. In its previous life, the space was the Albert Thomas Convention Center, which was ... more

Photo: James Nielsen

When Bayou Place bowed on New Year's Eve 1997, this... Photo-2888573.61060 - seattlepi.com

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Wortham Theater Center

The Wortham Theater Center is home to the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera. And folks around here are mighty proud of it. The Wortham was built for $74 million in the midst of one of the city's bleakest periods - the 1980s oil bust. All of the money came from private funds, making the 437,500-square-foot facility all the more impressive.
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The Wortham Theater Center is home to the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera. And folks around here are mighty proud of it. The Wortham was built for $74 million in the midst of one of the city's ... more

The Wortham Theater Center is home to the Houston Ballet and the... Photo-4242431.61060 - seattlepi.com

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Jones Hall

The home of the Houston Symphony underwent a $24 million face-lift following a visit by Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. Opened in 1966 and named for the legendary late banking and publishing mogul Jesse Jones, Jones Hall hosts more than 250 performances and events each year. If you peek inside, you'll see a cometlike sculpture by Richard Lippold called "Gemini II."
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The home of the Houston Symphony underwent a $24 million face-lift following a visit by Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. Opened in 1966 and named for the legendary late banking and publishing mogul Jesse Jones, ... more

Photo: Jim Olive

The home of the Houston Symphony underwent a $24 million face-lift... Photo-4071657.61060 - seattlepi.com

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Minute Maid Park

We're really proud of our pop-top ballpark; we'd like it even better if the Astros weren't off to such a slow start. The good news for fans this year is that the team's move to the American League means teams such as the Rangers and the Red Sox will be coming to town.
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We're really proud of our pop-top ballpark; we'd like it even better if the Astros weren't off to such a slow start. The good news for fans this year is that the team's move to the American League means teams ... more

Home of the Houston Rockets, the center also hosts some of the biggest musical spectacles. Coming soon: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars and Fleetwood Mac.
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Home of the Houston Rockets, the center also hosts some of the biggest musical spectacles. Coming soon: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars and Fleetwood Mac.
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Photo: Melissa Phillip

Home of the Houston Rockets, the center also hosts some of the... Photo-4211816.61060 - seattlepi.com

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BBVA Compass Stadium

OK, it's technically not downtown. Stop quibbling. The Dynamo currently boast a 35-game winning streak in its open-air stadium, and we couldn't be more excited. Well, us and the little cluster of EaDo bars that are its next-door neighbors.

OK, it's technically not downtown. Stop quibbling. The Dynamo currently boast a 35-game winning streak in its open-air stadium, and we couldn't be more excited. Well, us and the little cluster of EaDo bars that ... more

The building you see was constructed in 1893, but the church's roots go back much further. It was the second Episcopal parish in the Republic of Texas when it was founded in 1839.

1117 Texas

The building you see was constructed in 1893, but the church's roots go back much further. It was the second Episcopal parish in the Republic of Texas when it was founded in 1839.

1117 Texas

Photo: Chronicle

The building you see was constructed in 1893, but the church's... Photo-1365174.61060 - seattlepi.com

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Annunciation Catholic Church

A steeple designed by Galveston's Nicholas Clayton (a Victorian architectural legend in these parts) is the focal point of Annunciation Catholic Church. Construction on the Romanesque structure began in 1867 and wasn't completed until 1884.

A steeple designed by Galveston's Nicholas Clayton (a Victorian architectural legend in these parts) is the focal point of Annunciation Catholic Church. Construction on the Romanesque structure began in 1867 ... more

Arguably Houston's most historic church, Antioch Missionary Baptist was founded by nine former slaves just months after June 19, 1865 (known as Juneteenth, that was the day Texans learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, two years after it was signed by President Abraham Lincoln). The Gothic Revival building was completed in 1879. And though it has many architectural details to admire, its most prominent feature is the neon "Jesus Saves" sign.
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Arguably Houston's most historic church, Antioch Missionary Baptist was founded by nine former slaves just months after June 19, 1865 (known as Juneteenth, that was the day Texans learned of the Emancipation ... more